Verbal working memory

Digit Span

Digit Span is the core subtest of WAIS-IV / WMS-IV for short-term memory (forward) and working memory manipulation (backward). The classic "7±2" (Miller, 1956) originates here.

DifficultyExpert = strict academic parameters

Age band (for scoring reference)Not signed in (scores won't count toward profile)

ModeForward: same order · Backward: reverse order

呈现方式听觉模式更接近 WAIS-IV 临床流程（主试口读 1/秒）

Digits appear one by one. Enter them in the SAME order. Pass one → length grows. Fail both at a length → stop.

History

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References: Wechsler (2008) WAIS-IV; Miller (1956).

Scientific basis

Digit Span · scientific basis

Verbal working memory

Core subtest of WAIS-IV (Wechsler, 2008) and WMS-IV (Wechsler, 2009). Forward tests short-term storage; backward tests working-memory manipulation. Miller's 1956 'magical 7±2' originates here.

Expert-mode parameters

These are the standard parameters from the canonical paradigm (used by the "Expert" difficulty).

Parameter	Standard value	Source
Presentation pace	1 digit / second	WAIS-IV manual
Starting length	2 digits	WAIS-IV manual
Max length	9 (forward) / 8 (backward)	WAIS-IV manual
Trials per length	2	WAIS-IV manual
Stop rule	Fail both → stop	WAIS-IV manual

Healthy-population norms (by age)

Forward span is LDSF (longest correctly recalled length); backward is LDSB. 'Forward excellent' = forward mean + 1 SD. Adult bands come from the WAIS-IV (Wechsler 2008) US standardization sample; child/teen bands come from WISC-V and related literature. Assessment mode matches your actual age to the corresponding band.

Limitations： WAIS-IV (ages 16-90) and WISC-V (ages 6-16) are peer-reviewed large-sample (>2000 each) standardized batteries, so evidence is strong across both child and adult bands. Main caveats: (a) this module presents digits visually while the original WAIS-IV is oral — the visual variant may compress true span by ~0.5 items; (b) the gradual post-35 decline uses WAIS-IV age stratification but SDs are smoothed to 1.2-1.3. Cross-reference with on-site Corsi (visuo-spatial span): a forward gap > 1.5 items often flags a selective verbal or visuo-spatial deficit.

Age band	Forward excellent	Forward mean	Backward mean	Evidence
8-9	≥ 6.4	~5.3	~3.5	strong
10-11	≥ 6.8	~5.7	~4.0	strong
12-13	≥ 7.3	~6.1	~4.3	strong
14-15	≥ 7.6	~6.4	~4.6	strong
16-17	≥ 7.8	~6.6	~4.8	strong
18-24	≥ 8.1	~6.8	~5.0	strong
25-34	≥ 8.0	~6.7	~5.0	strong
35-44	≥ 7.9	~6.6	~4.9	strong
45-54	≥ 7.8	~6.5	~4.7	strong
55-64	≥ 7.6	~6.3	~4.5	strong
65+	≥ 7.3	~6.0	~4.2	strong

Standard output metrics

·Longest span — Primary metric
·Raw total score — Sum of correct trials
·Age-scaled score — Mean 10, SD 3 (WAIS-IV)
·Forward-backward gap — Index of WM manipulation

Citations

Wechsler, D. (2008). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV). Pearson. Publisher
Wechsler, D. (2009). Wechsler Memory Scale - Fourth Edition (WMS-IV). Pearson. Publisher
Miller, G. A. (1956). The magical number seven, plus or minus two. Psychol Rev, 63(2), 81-97. DOI
Reynolds, C. R. (1997). Forward and backward memory span should not be combined. Arch Clin Neuropsychol, 12(1), 29-40. DOI

All reference ranges come from published peer-reviewed literature. For personal training reference only — not a medical diagnosis. Full methodology: docs/PARADIGMS.md.

This tool is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or a clinical diagnosis.